Episode 24: Finals, Finals, and More Finals

Episode 24: Finals, Finals, and More Finals

The 2025–26 NHL hockey season has reached its thrilling conclusion! The guys open the episode with a special look at the story behind the son’s own jersey number selections, before diving into the Stanley Cup Final where the Carolina Hurricanes secured a dominant 4–2 series victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. They break down what made Carolina so unstoppable and reflect on the legacy of head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who cemented his place in history by winning the Cup with the same franchise as both a player and a coach. The guys celebrate the winner of the official "Father & Son Face-off" bracket challenge, "87's Bracket", and look forward to having them join the podcast for an upcoming guest spot. They also settle their own family bracket rivalry with a high-stakes, on-air rock-paper-scissors tiebreaker. Beyond the NHL, they catch up on the AHL playoffs, reminiscing about their own experience at a playoff game eight years ago. They touch on the nail-biting NBA Finals, recalling their memories of watching the Spurs win it all in 2014. Finally, they discuss the bittersweet side of the PWHL expansion draft, specifically addressing captain Hilary Knight’s move from the Seattle Torrent to Detroit. (Recorded 6/15/26)

Episode 23: Road to the Cup

The guys are back from their extended vacation just in time for the business end of the hockey calendar! They dive right back into the NHL playoffs, recapping both Conference Finals, and make their predictions for the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final. The team also checks in on their bracket challenges, confirming a family deadlock and promising to reveal the official "Father & Son Face-off" league winner as soon as the Cup is lifted. The discussion moves to the Memorial Cup, where the guys reflect on the Everett Silvertips’ hard-fought run, including the bittersweet final loss to the Kitchener Rangers. Despite the finish, there is plenty to celebrate as Everett star forward Julius Miettinen takes home the well-deserved WHL MVP honors. Finally, they pivot to the international stage to discuss the shocking upset at the IIHF World Championships, where Norway pulled off a stunning victory over Canada. The hunt for the Stanley Cup is hitting its peak—stay tuned! (Recorded 6/2/26)

Episode 22: Tickets Punched & Banners Raised

The hockey world is buzzing with championship energy! The guys recap a heart-stopping Game 7 finish as the Montreal Canadiens knocked out the Buffalo Sabres, and they break down the high-stakes Conference Finals: Montreal vs. the Carolina Hurricanes in the East, and a massive showdown between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche in the West. They share their predictions for who will punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. In women’s hockey, history was made! The guys talk about the PWHL Finals and they were excited to hear (the day after this recording) that the Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge and captured their first-ever Walter Cup title. The guys also discuss the exciting news of the newest PWHL expansion team coming to San Jose. Closer to home, the celebration continues as the Everett Silvertips are crowned WHL champions! The son shares his (slightly salty) take on attending the only game the Tips lost during the finals, but they both celebrate the team’s tenacious run. Finally, they look ahead to the prestigious Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C., where the top major junior teams will battle for the ultimate prize. The duo will be taking off a week, but look forward to getting back to discuss the next round of playoff excitement. (Recorded 05/19/26)

Playoff Excitement plus Exceptional WHL Report

The playoff intensity is off the charts across every tier of the sport! This week, the guys dive into second-round action of the NHL playoffs and are impressed with the Colorado Avalanche who look absolutely unstoppable right now. They also throw it back to the first round to chat about the mind-boggling Montreal win over Tampa Bay with only nine shots on goal. Next, they pivot to the PWHL, where the finals are officially locked in! The Minnesota Frost’s dreams of a three-peat are dashed as Montreal and Ottawa advance to battle for the Walter Cup. Plus, they look ahead to the league's bright future with the announcement of three massive expansion teams heading to Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton. Finally, the show goes on the road! The duo shares a quick (and loud) live recording straight from Game 1 of the WHL Championship, where they cheered on the Everett Silvertips against the Prince Albert Raiders. The son highlights the thrill of watching 16-year-old phenom Landon DuPont live in action, and even though the Tips dropped the first game, the guys celebrate a massive post-recording spoiler: Everett bouncing back to win four straight and capture the WHL crown! (Recorded 5/13/26)

Episode 20: Busted Brackets & Championship Chases

The first round is in the books, and the playoff intensity is just getting started! This week, the guys recap a wild opening round (spoiler alert: the Montreal vs. Tampa Bay Game 7 finish saw the Canadiens punch their ticket to the second round). It’s a bittersweet update as the son’s Dallas Stars are officially out, while the father’s Buffalo Sabres keep the dream alive heading into a Round 2 clash with Montreal. They also check the wreckage of their family bracket challenge, revealing whose picks are busted and who still has a chance at family glory. A shout-out to “87’s Bracket” who is currently sitting at the top of the official podcast league leaderboard! The duo then pivots to the PWHL, where the quest for the Walter Cup begins with Minnesota vs. Montreal and Boston vs. Ottawa. Finally, they celebrate some local legends as the Everett Silvertips head to the WHL Championship to battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. (Recorded 5/2/26)